Managing a core network policy

ABSTRACT

Systems, methods, and computer-readable media herein dynamically adjust the policies used within a core network. These policies are determine based on the identification of a user device being a reduced capability device and the data requirements for that device. A correlation between the type of reduced capability device and the data requirements is used to derive data-drive insights using a non-real time RAN intelligence controller. The data used to determine these insights and policies are based on historical and non-real time sources.

SUMMARY

A high-level overview of various aspects of the invention is providedhere as an overview of the disclosure and to introduce a selection ofconcepts further described below in the detailed description. Thissummary is not intended to identify key features or essential featuresof the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aidin isolation to determine the scope of the claimed subject matter.

In brief and at a high level, this disclosure describes, among otherthings, systems, methods, and computer-readable media that employinformation related to a user device and its requirements to dynamicallyadjust the protocols or policies implemented on a network core in orderto more efficiently plan for and service reduced capability devicesbeing connected to that network.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Illustrative aspects of the present invention are described in detailbelow with reference to the attached drawing figures, and wherein:

FIG. 1 depicts a schematic for an exemplary device, in accordance withan aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 2 depicts an exemplary telecommunications environment, inaccordance with an aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary telecommunications environment, inaccordance with an aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 4 depicts an exemplary flowchart of a method for managing a trafficsteering policy on a network core in accordance with an aspect of thepresent invention; and

FIG. 5 depicts an exemplary computing device suitable for use inimplementations of aspects herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject matter of select aspects of the present invention isdescribed with specificity herein to meet statutory requirements. TheDetailed Description is not intended to define what is regarded as theinvention, which is the purpose of the claims. The claimed subjectmatter might be embodied in other ways to include different steps orcombinations of steps similar to the ones described in this document, inconjunction with other present or future technologies. Terms should notbe interpreted as implying any particular order among or between varioussteps herein disclosed unless and except when the order of individualsteps is explicitly described.

Throughout the description of the present invention, several acronymsand shorthand notations are used to aid the understanding of certainconcepts pertaining to the associated system and services. Theseacronyms and shorthand notations are solely intended for the purpose ofproviding an easy methodology of communicating the ideas expressedherein and are in no way meant to limit the scope of the presentinvention. The following is a list of these acronyms:

AWS Advanced Wireless Services

BRS Broadband Radio Service

BTS Base Transceiver Station

CDMA Code Division Multiple Access

EBS Educational Broadband Services

eNodeB Evolved Node B

EVDO Evolution-Data Optimized

gNodeB Next Generation Node B

GPS Global Positioning System

GSM Global System for Mobile Communications

HRPD High Rate Packet Data

eHRPD Enhanced High Rate Packet Data

LTE Long Tenn Evolution

LTE-A Long Tenn Evolution Advanced

PCS Broadband Personal Communications Service

RNC Radio Network Controller

SyncE Synchronous Ethernet

TDM Time-Division Multiplexing

VOIP Voice Over Internet Protocol

WAN Wide Area Network

WCS Wireless Communications Service

WiMAX Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access

Further, various technical terms are used throughout this description. Adefinition of such terms can be found in, for example, Newton's TelecomDictionary by H. Newton, 31st Edition (2018). These definitions areintended to provide a clearer understanding of the ideas disclosedherein but are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.The definitions and terms should be interpreted broadly and liberally tothe extent allowed by the meaning of the words offered in theabove-cited reference.

Aspects described herein may be embodied as, among other things, amethod, system, or computer-program product. Accordingly, the aspectsdescribed herein may take the form of a hardware aspect, or an aspectcombining software and hardware. In one aspect, the present inventiontakes the form of a computer-program product that includescomputer-useable instructions embodied on one or more computer-readablemedia.

Computer-readable media includes volatile and/or nonvolatile media,removable and non-removable media, and contemplate media readable by adatabase, a switch, and various other network devices. Network switches,routers, and related components are conventional in nature, as are meansof communicating with the same. By way of example and not limitation,computer-readable media comprise computer storage media and/orcommunications media. Computer storage media, or machine-readable media,include media implemented in any method or technology for storinginformation. Examples of stored information include computer-useableinstructions, data structures, program modules, and other datarepresentations. Computer storage media include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flashmemory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile discs(DVDs), holographic media or other optical disc storage, magneticcassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disc storage, and/or other magneticstorage devices. These memory components can store data momentarily,temporarily, or permanently. Computer storage media does not encompass atransitory signal, in aspects of the present invention.

Communications media typically store computer-useable instructions,including data structures and program modules, in a modulated datasignal. The term “modulated data signal” refers to a propagated signalthat has one or more of its characteristics set or changed to encodeinformation in the signal. Communications media include anyinformation-delivery media. By way of example but not limitation,communications media include wired media, such as a wired network ordirect-wired connection, and wireless media such as acoustic, infrared,radio, microwave, spread-spectrum, and other wireless mediatechnologies. Combinations of the above are included within the scope ofcomputer-readable media.

At a high level, systems, methods, and computer-readable media of thepresent invention identify user devices connected to a network asreduced capability (redcap) devices and further identifies networkrequirements of the connected redcap devices. This information iscollected from both RAN sources and non-RAN sources in a non-realtime.The data is then correlated and insights are determined which may thenbe used to create a policy or operating procedure to be put into placeon the network core. These policies may be used to direct redcap devicesand/or network functions continuously. Additionally, the policiescreated in light of the determined insights may be implemented on a userdevice. Thus, network functions are optimized with the increased usageof a large variety of type of redcap devices.

In a first aspect of the present invention, a method for managing atraffic steering policy on a network core is provided. The methodcomprises determining that a first user device is a reduced capabilitydevice, the first user device being associated with a first basestation. The method further comprises determining that the user deviceis a particular type of reduced capability device. Additionally, themethod determines the data requirements of the reduced capabilitydevice. In aspects, a traffic steering policy is determined based on thetype of redcap device and the data requirements of that device. Once thepolicy is determined, the policy is implemented on the network.

In a second aspect of the present invention, computer-readable media isprovided, the computer-readable media having computer-executableinstructions embodied thereon that, when executed, perform a method formanaging a traffic steering policy on a network core. In accordance withthe media, the performed method comprises determining that a first userdevice is a reduced capability device, the first user device beingassociated with a first base station. The method further comprisesdetermining that the user device is a particular type of reducedcapability device. Additionally, the method determines the datarequirements of the reduced capability device. In aspects, a trafficsteering policy is determined based on the type of redcap device and thedata requirements of that device. Once the policy is determined, thepolicy is implemented on the network.

In a third aspect of the present invention, a system is provided formanaging a traffic steering policy on a network core. The systemcomprises determining that a first user device is a reduced capabilitydevice, the first user device being associated with a first basestation. The system further comprises determining that the user deviceis a particular type of reduced capability device. Additionally, thesystem determines the data requirements of the reduced capabilitydevice. In aspects, a traffic steering policy is determined based on thetype of redcap device and the data requirements of that device. Once thepolicy is determined, the policy is implemented on the network

Turning now to FIG. 1 , an example of a network environment 100 suitablefor use in implementing embodiments of the present disclosure isprovided. The network environment 100 is but one example of a suitablenetwork environment and is not intended to suggest any limitation as tothe scope of use or functionality of the disclosure. Neither should thenetwork environment 100 be interpreted as having any dependency orrequirement relating to any one or combination of componentsillustrated.

The network environment 100 includes a network 102 that provides serviceto current User Equipment (UE) 104 and 106 and one or more legacy UE 108and 110. The network 102 may be accessible through a base station 112that is connected to a backhaul server (not shown). The base station 112and/or a computing device (e.g., whether local or remote) associatedwith the base station 112 may manage or otherwise control the operationsof components of a cell site, including an antenna array 116. The basestation 112 and/or the computing device associated with the base station112 may include one or more processors and computer-readable storagemedia having computer-executable instructions or computer instructionmodules embodied thereon for execution by one or more processors. Thesecomputer executable instructions may be used to implement policiesdesigned to govern the behaviors of network devices such as UE 104,antenna array 116, base stations 112.

The antenna array 116 may radiate in a particular direction and, thus,may correspond to a particular sector of a cell site. The antenna array116 may have a plurality of antenna elements, in embodiments. In oneembodiment, the antenna array 116 is configured to have a plurality ofelements that in number, arrangement, and/or density, are configured formMIMO. In one such embodiment, the base station 112 may include a radioand/or a controller, such as a Massive Multiple-Input Multiple-OutputUnit for controlling a mMIMO configured antenna array, such as theantenna array 116 having a plurality of antenna elements. The basestation 112 may use the controller to monitor one or more of throughput,signal quality metrics (e.g., SINR), a quantity of uniqueusers/subscribers, a quantity of unique UE(s), and/or remote locationfilings that occur at the base station, all of which may be monitoreddynamically and/or as stored in a data store. The antenna array may alsobe configured to operate under a lower order number of antenna elementsthan the antenna array as configured to operate under a mMIMOconfiguration. Such a lower order configuration may be a legacy systemsuch as an eight branch transmit and eight branch receive (8T8R) antennastructure. Each of these operations described above may be modified orgoverned by network policies operating on the network baseband.

The base station 112 may use a radio that is connected to the antennaarray 116 by a physical RF path, where the radio is used to cause theantenna array 116 to transmit radio-frequency signals using theplurality of antenna elements. The plurality of antenna elements in theantenna array 116 may include portions of antenna elements (not shown).In embodiments, the plurality of antenna elements of the antenna array116 may be partitioned such that a first portion of antenna elements maybe associated with, dedicated to, correspond to, and/or be configured tooperate using a first access technology, and a second portion of antennaelements may be associated with, dedicated to, correspond to, and/or beconfigured to operate using a second access technology. In oneembodiment, the plurality of antenna elements may be partitioned intounequal groups or, alternatively, “split” into equal halves, whereineach group or half operates to provide a coverage area for a distinctaccess technology when the antenna array 116 operates in a dualtechnology mode. Each of these operations described above may bemodified or governed by network policies operating on the networkbaseband.

In some embodiments, the antenna array 116 is partitioned such that thefirst portion of antenna elements is associated with the first accesstechnology and the second portion of antenna elements is associated withthe second access technology. When the antenna array 116 is operating ina dual technology mode, each portion of the plurality of antennaelements may operate using only one distinct protocol and/or accesstechnology relative to the other portions in the antenna array, in someembodiments. In one example, a first portion of antenna elements mayoperate using 5G wireless access technology and the second portion ofantenna elements may operate using 4G wireless access technology.Additionally, it will be understood that the terms “first” and “second”are used herein for the purposes of clarity in distinguishing portionsof antenna elements from one another, but the terms are not used hereinto limit the sequence, relevance, number of portions, technologicalfunctions, and/or operations of each portion unless specifically andexplicitly stated as such.

As such, the base station 112 may provide current UE 104 and 106 andlegacy UE 108 and 110 with access to the network 102, in embodiments. Insome embodiments, the first portion of antenna elements may communicatewith current UE 104 and 106 using 5G technology, and the second portionof the antenna elements may communicate with legacy UE 108 and 110 using4G technology. When operating in the dual technology mode, the antennaarray 116 may concurrently connect to and communicate with the currentUE 104 and 106 and legacy UE 108 and 110 using, respectively, at leasttwo distinct access technologies.

Accordingly, in one example, when the antenna array 116 is operating inthe dual technology mode, the base station 112 concurrently acts aneNodeB (or “eNB”) and gNodeB (or “gNB”). As such, the base station 112may provide service to one or more access technologies to both currentand legacy UE. In addition to communicating with the current UE 104 and106 and the legacy UE 108 and 110, the base station 112 may alsocommunicate with one or more neighboring base stations. In someembodiments, the base station 112 may communicate with neighboring basestation 120 using the first access technology and may communicate withanother neighboring base station 122 using the second access technology.For example, because the base station 112 may operate concurrently as aneNodeB and a gNodeB using the antenna array 116 that is partitioned andoperating in a dual technology mode, the base station 112 maycommunicate with other base station. For example, base station 112communication may include legacy base stations that cannot use currentaccess technologies (e.g., 5G) or current base stations that lackbackward compatibility with prior access technologies (e.g., 4G). Inembodiments, the base station 112 may bi-directionally exchangeinformation with neighboring base stations 120 and 122 through an X2interface or X2 link. Information regarding signal quality, RFconditions, one or more RLFs, and SINR levels at each of the neighboringbase stations 120 and 122, and/or as reported from UE to the neighboringbase stations 120 and 122 may be communicated to the base station 112via the X2 link. Additionally or alternatively, information regardingsignal quality, RLFs, and SINR levels at each of the neighboring basestations 120 and 122 may be communicated to the base station 112 overthe backhaul. Each of these operations described may be modified orgoverned by network policies operating on the network baseband.

As mentioned, the base station 112 may include a radio and/or acontroller, such as an MMU, that enables the base station 112 to adjustor modify the operations and transmissions of the plurality of antennaelements in the antenna array 116. In embodiments, the operations,configurations, and/or settings of each antenna element may beindividually controlled and adjusted by the base station 112 using thecontroller. In some embodiments, the operations, configurations, and/orsettings of the first portion of antenna elements may be controlled andadjusted as a group by the base station 112 using a controller, such asan MMU, independent of the second portion of antenna elements. In asimilar fashion, the operations, configurations, and/or settings of thesecond portion of antenna elements may be controlled and adjusted as agroup by the base station 112 using the controller, independent of thefirst portion of antenna elements. Accordingly, the base station 112 mayuse a controller to independently adjust different groups or portions ofantenna elements within one antenna array.

In embodiments, the operations, configurations, and/or settings of eachindividual antenna element may be adjusted and customized. For example,the base station 112 instructs a portion of antenna elements to transmitone or more synchronization signals using a periodicity. In anotherexample, the portion of antenna elements may transmit a plurality ofsynchronization signals using the periodicity, as instructed by the basestation 112. The synchronization signals may be specific to and/orconfigured for the first access technology, in embodiments.

Accordingly, the base station 112 may use a controller to independentlyadjust different individual antenna elements, any number of groupingsand/or subset(s) of each portion of antenna elements, and/or portions ofantenna elements within one antenna array. In embodiments, the basestation 112 may use a controller to measure and monitor one or more ofthroughput, signal quality metrics (e.g., SINR), a quantity of uniqueusers/subscribers, a quantity of unique UE, and/or RLFs. Each of theseoperations described above may be modified or governed by networkpolicies operating on the network core.

Turning now to FIG. 2 , network environment 200 is an exemplary networkenvironment in which implementations of the present disclosure may beemployed. Network environment 200 is one example of a suitable networkenvironment and is not intended to suggest any limitation as to thescope of use or functionality of the present disclosure. Neither shouldthe network environment be interpreted as having any dependency orrequirement relating to any one or combination of componentsillustrated.

Network environment 200 includes UE 202 (network environment 200 maycontain more UEs), network 208, database 210, dynamic antenna elementdisablement engine 212, and cell site 214. In the network environment200, UE 202 may take on a variety of forms, such as a PC, a user device,a smart phone, a smart watch, a laptop computer, a mobile phone, amobile device, a tablet computer, a wearable computer, a PDA, a server,a CD player, an MP3 player, GPS device, a video player, a handheldcommunications device, a workstation, a router, an access point, and anycombination of these delineated devices, or any other device thatcommunicates via wireless communications with a cell site 214 in orderto interact with network 208, which may be a public or a privatenetwork.

In some aspects, the UE 202 corresponds to a user device or a computingdevice. For example, the user device may include a display(s), a powersource(s) (e.g., a battery), a data store(s), a speaker(s), memory, abuffer(s), a radio(s), and the like. In some implementations, the UE 202comprises a wireless or mobile device with which a wirelesstelecommunication network(s) may be utilized for communication (e.g.,voice and/or data communication). In this regard, the user device may beany mobile computing device that communicates by way of a wirelessnetwork, for example, a 3G, 4G, 5G, LTE, CDMA, or any other type ofnetwork.

In some cases, the UE 202 in network environment 200 may optionallyutilize network 208 to communicate with other computing devices (e.g., amobile device(s), a server(s), a personal computer(s), etc.) throughcell site 214. The network 208 may be a telecommunications network(s),or a portion thereof. A telecommunications network might include anarray of devices or components (e.g., one or more base stations), someof which are not shown. Those devices or components may form networkenvironments similar to what is shown in FIG. 2 and may also performmethods in accordance with the present disclosure. Components such asterminals, links, and nodes (as well as other components) may provideconnectivity in various implementations. Network 208 may includemultiple networks, as well as being a network of networks, but is shownin more simple form so as to not obscure other aspects of the presentdisclosure.

Network 208 may be part of a telecommunication network that connectssubscribers to their service provider. In aspects, the service providermay be a telecommunications service provider, an internet serviceprovider, or any other similar service provider that provides at leastone of voice telecommunications and/or data services to UE 202 and anyother UEs. For example, network 208 may be associated with atelecommunications provider that provides services (e.g., LTE) to the UE202. Additionally or alternatively, network 208 may provide voice, SMS,and/or data services to user devices or corresponding users that areregistered or subscribed to utilize the services provided by atelecommunications provider. Network 208 may comprise any communicationnetwork providing voice, SMS, and/or data service(s), using any one ormore communication protocols, such as a 1× circuit voice, a 3G network(e.g., CDMA, CDMA2000, WCDMA, GSM, UMTS), a 4G network (WiMAX, LTE,HSDPA), or a 5G network. The network 208 may also be, in whole or inpart, or have characteristics of, a self-optimizing network.

In some implementations, cell site 214 is configured to communicate withthe UE 202 that is located within the geographical area defined by atransmission range and/or receiving range of the radio antennas of cellsite 214. The geographical area may be referred to as the “coveragearea” of the cell site or simply the “cell,” as used interchangeablyhereinafter. Cell site 214 may include one or more base stations, basetransmitter stations, radios, antennas, antenna arrays, poweramplifiers, transmitters/receivers, digital signal processors, controlelectronics, GPS equipment, and the like. In particular, cell site 214may be configured to wirelessly communicate with devices within adefined and limited geographical area. For the purposes of the presentdisclosure, it may be assumed that it is undesirable and unintended bythe network 208 that the cell site 214 provide wireless connectivity tothe UE 202 when the UE 202 is geographically situated outside of thecell associated with the cell site 214.

In an exemplary aspect, the cell site 214 comprises a base station thatserves at least one sector of the cell associated with the cell site 214and at least one transmit antenna for propagating a signal from the basestation to one or more of the UE 202. In other aspects, the cell site214 may comprise multiple base stations and/or multiple transmitantennas for each of the one or more base stations, any one or more ofwhich may serve at least a portion of the cell. In some aspects, thecell site 214 may comprise one or more macro cells (providing wirelesscoverage for users within a large geographic area) or it may be a smallcell (providing wireless coverage for users within a small geographicarea). For example, macro cells may correspond to a coverage area havinga radius of approximately 1-15 miles or more as measured at ground leveland extending outward from an antenna at the cell site. In anotherexample, a small cell may correspond to a coverage area having a radiusof approximately less than three miles as measured at ground level andextending outward from an antenna at the cell site.

As shown, cell site 214 is in communication with the dynamic antennaelement disablement engine 212, which comprises a receiver 216, adetector 218, a determiner 220, and a antenna element controller 222.The dynamic antenna element disablement engine 212 may connect UE 202and other UEs to frequency bands within range of the UE 202 or other UEsfor access to network 208. The dynamic antenna element disablementengine may also delay or prevent UE 202 connection to a frequency bandfor access to network 208. The dynamic antenna element disablementengine 212 may communicate with the database 210 for storing andretrieving data.

For example, the receiver 216 may retrieve data from the UE 202, thenetwork 208, the database 210, and the cell site 214. In some aspects,the receiver 216 may receive requests from UEs for access to aparticular frequency band. Further, data the receiver 216 may accessincludes, but is not limited to, location information of the UE 202 andchannel quality information. Location information may comprise GPS orother satellite location services, terrestrial triangulation, an accesspoint location, or any other means of obtaining coarse or fine locationinformation. The location information may indicate geographiclocation(s) of one or more of a user device, an antenna, a cell tower, acell site, and/or a coverage area of a cell site, for example. Channelquality information may indicate the quality of communications betweenone or more user devices and a particular cell site. For example,channel quality information may quantify how communications aretraveling over a particular communication channel quality, thusindicating when communications performance is negatively impacted orimpaired. As such, channel quality information may indicate a realizeduplink and/or downlink transmission data rate of a cell site and/or eachof one or more user devices communicating with the cell site, observedSINR and/or signal strength at the user device(s), or throughput of theconnection between the cell site and the user device(s). Location andchannel quality information may take into account the UE's capability,such as the number of antennas of the user device and the type ofreceiver used by the user device for detection. The receiver 216 mayalso be configured to receive information from cell sites other thancell site 214 or other processors and/or servers.

Each sector corresponds to a radiation pattern of a correspondingantenna at the cell site. The shape, size, and dimension(s) of theservice coverage area of the cell site are, generally, determined by anantenna's specific radiation pattern, as well as a direction, electricaltilt, mechanical tilt, installation height above the ground orsurrounding geographic area, technical operating specifications,materials, obstructions (i.e., buildings, mountains, or otherelevations), and power supplied to each of the first, second, and thirdantennas of the cell site, for example. The first, second, and thirdantennas wirelessly receive and transmit RF transmissions to and from,for example, user equipment, other antennas, other cell sites, basestations, and/or satellites, in order to facilitate communicationsbetween such devices, though not shown in FIG. 2 for clarity. In anaspect, the first, second, and third antennas of the cell site capturetwo-way communications between the network and UE devices 202 that arewithin a geographic area corresponding to the service coverage area ofthe cell site.

Turning to detector 218, the detector 218 may detect UEs within a range,frequency bands, sector power ratios (SPRs) of frequency bands, SINRs,and loading factors (e.g., loading volume) corresponding to frequencybands, etc. Loading factors may change depending upon the day and timeof day (e.g., world events such as natural disasters, terror attacks,pandemics, or religious holidays may prompt surges of UE traffic to orfrom specific locations), and may be stored in the database 210. Loadingfactors may include cell site 214 heat signature information, cell site214 component performance information, channel quality information, orprocessor load measurements. Factors affecting the heat signatureinformation of the cell site 214 include component model, componenttype, manufacturer, age of a component, wear and tear due toenvironmental factors, etc. Further, loading factors may also include anamount of current, backhaul traffic, or an anticipated current orbackhaul traffic. Additionally, factors affecting loading volume mayinclude a quantity of users connected to a frequency band or antennaproperties at a time of receiving communication parameters from UEsconnected to the frequency band. Other factors affecting loading volumemay also include a capability of the frequency band and data receivedfrom the quantity of users connected to the frequency band. The datareceived from the quantity of users may comprise a rate at which UEs areconnected to and disconnected from the frequency band.

Detector 218 may also detect wireless communication protocols andwireless telecommunications networks associated with particularfrequency bands. For example, the detector 218 may detect that a firstwireless communication protocol of a first frequency band is a 5Gwireless communication protocol and a second wireless communicationprotocol of a second frequency band is a 4G wireless communicationprotocol. Additionally, the detector 218 may detect a third wirelesscommunication protocol of a third frequency band that comprises both a5G and a 4G wireless communication protocol such that the network has anability to maintain dual connectivity or a particular UE is able toconnect to either 5G and 4G wireless communication protocolssimultaneously.

Detector 218 may also detect information from a connected UE whichindicates that the connected UE is a redcap device. For example, thedetector 218 may detect that the UE device connected is a redcap device.The information detected from the connected UE may be an internationalmobile equipment identifier (IMEI) number. Additionally, the informationdetected from the connected UE may be another form of identifier whichindicates that the UE is a redcap device. In one aspect, if anidentifier is not detected for the connected UE, the detector or networkmay assign the UE as a rogue device or a redcap device and assign aprotocol based on the reduced capability assignment.

Turning to determiner 220, the determiner 220 may determine that theredcap UE is a particular type of redcap UE. For example, a redcap UEmay exist as a IoT, a vehicle to vehicle, a road side unit, a drone, asensor, a connected vehicle, a connected UAV, machine type sensors, asmart device, or any other type of redcap device. By determining thetype of redcap device the connected UE is, the network may then tailor atraffic steering policy for that connected UE and any other connectedUEs connected to the network.

Determiner 220 may also determine a data requirement for the connectedredcap UE. Determiner 220 may utilize information related to the redcapUE in order to determine what data or other requirements are requiredfor the redcap UE. For instance, a redcap UE may have a particularbandwidth requirement because of a recent software update. In exemplaryaspects, the determiner 220 may use information from historical data,empirical test measurements, global database, manufacturers' devicessoftware update, network information from the RAN (frequency selection,4G/5G, QoS, resource allocation, 911 call, etc.), device information,device temperature (overheating), speed, location/time, and other eventinformation such as event triggering streams (fire, shooting, outbreak,alarm, etc.) over social media platforms (Instagram, twitter, Facebook,etc.) to identify and determine the data or other device requirements.This information may be used in connection with the type of redcap UE todetermine correlated insights into what data requirements or policyrequirements (such as a change in beam shape or communication protocolassignment) may be required of the core network. Additionally, thedeterminer may determine a security risk for the connected redcap UEwhich may be used in determining the correlated insight for the UE. Fromthese correlated insights, determiner 220 may determine datarequirements, security risk, device requirements such as neededbandwidth or throughput, or other UE requirements.

Determiner 220 may then use the correlated insights to determine apolicies which may direct network functions of the core networkcontinuously. Exemplary policies are provide in Table 1 below. Forexample, a static redcap device may be identified such as a camerasensor. From the information determined about that device (location,data requirement, type of device, trigger event, low security risk), apolicy may be determined that the redcap UE identified needs to beassigned a 5G protocol operating at 28 GHz. This policy may then beimplemented using a non-realtime radio intelligence controller (Non-RTRIC) operating on a service management orchestration (SMO)

Sources- Sources- Sources- Network Sources- Event Secrurity Policy toDevice (RAN) Database Trigger Risk Network Policy to UE Static RedcapDevices camera sensors Location location Golbal/Vendor Social Media LAssign 5 G, High Priority Database 28 GHz loT meter sensors Locationlocation Golbal/Vendor — M Assign 3 G, Low Priority Database 1.9 GHzMoving RedCap wearables Location/ Frequency Band Golbal/Vendor SocialMedia H Assign 4 G, Medium Speed/Other Database 2.1 GHz Priority V2Xsensors Location/ Frequency Band/ Golbal/Vendor Social Media M Assign 5G, High Priority Speed/Other Packet Size Database 2.5 GHz no name/blackUnknown Frequency Band/ Golbal/Vendor Social Media H Assign 4 G, LowPriority market Data Size Database 700 MHz

Turning now to FIG. 3 , exemplary multiple communication protocolenvironment 300 comprises base station 316, which may include a firstantenna array; one or more antennas; a main lobe area of a communicationprotocol, one or more side lobe areas of a communication protocol, and aback lobe area of a communication protocol. The location, shape and sizeof each of the three lobes is determined at least in part by the shapeand size of the antenna array. In aspects, the one or more antennas maybe dipole antennas, having a length, for example, of ¼, ½, 1, or 1 ½wavelength. In aspects, the first antenna array may be an active antennaarray, FD-MIMO, massive MIMO, 3G, 4G, 5G, and/or 802.11. While we referto dipole antennas herein, in other aspects, the one or more antennasmay be monopole, loop, parabolic, traveling-wave, aperture, yagi-uda,conical spiral, helical, conical, radomes, horn, and/or apertures, orany combination thereof. It is noted that adjusting one or moreindividual power supplies to the one or more antennas of the firstantenna array may be applicable to an antenna array comprising any typeof antenna targeting any portion of the RF spectrum (though any lowerthan VHF may be size prohibitive). In one aspect, the one or moreantennas may be configured to communicate in the UHF and/or SHFspectrum, for example, in the range of 1.3 GHz-30 GHz.

By way of a non-limiting example, the first antenna array may comprise64 antenna elements arranged in an 8×8 structure. In other aspects, thefirst antenna array may comprise antenna elements arranged in an 8×4,4×8, or 4×4 configuration. Each antenna element of the first antennaarray comprises a dedicated power supply having a certain phase andamplitude to a respective antenna element. In an aspect, the powersupply comprises a power amplifier. In an aspect not depicted in thefigures, the base station may further comprise a processor. Theprocessor may be one or more of processors, servers, computer processingcomponents, or the like. In some aspects, the processor may becommunicatively coupled to each node and/or to each antenna of eachnode.

In certain aspects, the first antenna array may communicate or iscapable of communicating with devices, using a 5G wireless communicationprotocol. While in this example 5G is mentioned as a wirelesscommunication protocol, it should be understood that any wirelesscommunication protocol standard may be utilized, for example, 3G, 4G,LTE, 5G, 802.11, or any other operator-elected wireless communicationprotocol standard. In the aspect, the first antenna array can include 64antenna elements, each with a distinct direction which may be known, andwhere each antenna element is capable of communicating with one or moredevices, e.g., using one or more specific beams, each identifiable as abeam index, as referred to herein, in aspects. In the same oralternative aspects, a device may communicate with more than one antennaelement of the first antenna array. In aspects, using the methods andsystems disclosed herein with a high-density antenna array, such as thefirst antenna array, and using a 5G wireless communication protocol asan example, can facilitate the strategic assignment of beam indicesand/or allotment of beam indices tailored for a specific purpose orenvironment.

The O-RAN industry alliance defines an O-RAN architecture, andintroduces two-stage non-real-time and real-time RIC on the basis of a5G access network architecture and function virtualization. The RICmainly utilizes data analysis and an artificial intelligence engine tosense and predict the wireless network environment and make decisions onallocation of wireless resources. According to the processing time delaycharacteristic, the RIC is divided into a Non-real-time wireless networkintelligent controller Non-RT RIC and a Near-real-time wireless networkintelligent controller Near-RT RIC. The Near-RT RIC can realizeNear-real-time control and optimization of RAN elements and resourcesthrough fine-grained data collection and operation through an E2interface; Non-RT RIC supports Non-real-time control and optimization ofRAN elements and resources, and application/function guidance forpolicy-based near-RT RIC. The non-RT RIC supports the import ofcustomized strategies and the generation of policies to be implementedusing those customized strategies in relation to redcap devices andnetwork capabilities. Near real-time RIC supports online real-timeexecution of policies directing baseband functions to prioritizespecific groups of users and devices continuously.

The RAN 318 can include one or more access nodes that enable connection314. These access nodes (ANs) can be referred to as base stations 316,NodeBs, evolved NodeBs (eNBs), Next Generation NodeBs (gNBs), RANnetwork nodes, and the like, and can comprise ground stations (e.g.,terrestrial access points) or satellite stations providing coveragewithin a geographic area (e.g., a cell). In some aspects, thecommunication nodes can be transmission/reception points (TRPs). Ininstances when the base station 316 is a NodeB (e.g., eNBs or gNBs), oneor more TRPs can function within the communication cell of the NodeBs.The RAN 318 is shown to be comprised of an a radio unit 320 and abaseband distributed unite and control unit 322.

Core 324 consists of the management portion of the network system andcomprises at least a core network 326 and a service management andorchestration framework (SMO) 328 containing a non-RT RIC 330. The RAN318 is shown to be communicatively coupled to a core network (CN) 326within the core 324. In aspects, the CN 326 may be an evolved packetcore (EPC) network, a NextGen Packet Core (NPC) network, or some othertype of CN.

In some aspects, the non-RT RIC 330 is a function that sits within theSMO platform (or SMO framework) 328 in the O-RAN architecture. Theprimary goal of non-RT RIC is to support intelligent radio resourcemanagement for a non-real-time interval (i.e., greater than 500 ms),policy optimization in RAN, and insertion of AI/ML models to near-RT RICand other RAN functions. The policy optimization including the trafficsteering policies determined by determiner 220. Such traffic steeringpolicies may include re-distributing or re-allocating base stationresources. Such re-allocations may be accomplished through a variety ofmeans not limited to beam steering, re-assignment of communicationprotocols to the connected UE, or any other re-allocation of resources.

In some aspects, the non-RT RIC (e.g., an NSSI resource allocation andoptimization circuit of the non-RT RIC) may perform the followingfunctions: (1) Monitoring. For example, the non-RT RIC monitors theradio network(s) by collecting resource usage and performance-relateddata including the following performance measurements that are measured:downlink (DL) physical resource blocks (PRBs) used for data traffic;uplink (UL) PRBs used for data traffic; an average DL user equipment(UE) throughput in a next generation Node-B (gNB) of the O-RAN network;an average UL UE throughput in the gNB; a number of protocol data unit(PDU) sessions requested for setup in the O-RAN network; a number of PDUsessions successfully set up in the O-RAN network; and a number of PDUsessions failed to set up in the O-RAN network. Each of these may beused in connection with the determiner 220 to determine correlateddata-driven insights when while determining the policies to implementfor a particular device or network. (2) Analysis and Decisions. Forexample, the non-RT RIC may analyze the data, and then determine, usingdeterminer 220 the actions needed to add or reduce the resources (e.g.capability. VNF resources, slice subnet attributes, etc.) for the NSSIat a specific time and location. Actions needed may be identified withina policy determined based on the resources needed, the type of deviceidentified, or other types of information. (3) Execution. The non-RT RICexecutes the actions (or functions) to adjust or reallocate networkresources (adjusting beam direction or beam form) to better accommodatethe UEs identified, such as redcap UEs.

Turning now to FIG. 4 , flow diagram 400 comprises an exemplary methoddynamically modifying the policies associated with the core of a networkand a SMO associated with that network. Initially at block 402, it isdetermined that a first user device is is a reduced capability device.At block 404, it is determined that the first UE associated with thefirst base station is a particular type of reduced capability device.For example, the types of reduced capability devices may be a sensor, anIoT meter, a camera, a V2X sensor, or a black market device. At block406, the data requirements or the requirements of the reduced capabilitydevice is determined such that a correlation or an insight can be madefor the user device. At block 408, a traffic steering policy isdetermined for the network core based on the insights determined fromthe device requirements and the device type. At block 410, the trafficsteering policy for the network core is implemented through the non-RTRIC operating on the network core and the SMO within the core. Further,the policy determined at block 408 may be directed to a specific UE andimplemented on that UE. For example, the policy determined may indicatethat a particular redcap UE is high priority and the policy may beimplanted on the UE.

Referring now to FIG. 5 , a diagram is depicted of an exemplarycomputing environment suitable for use in implementations of the presentdisclosure. In particular, the exemplary computer environment is shownand designated generally as computing device 500. Computing device 500is but one example of a suitable computing environment and is notintended to suggest any limitation as to the scope of use orfunctionality of the invention. Neither should computing device 500 beinterpreted as having any dependency or requirement relating to any oneor combination of components illustrated.

The implementations of the present disclosure may be described in thegeneral context of computer code or machine-useable instructions,including computer-executable instructions such as program components,being executed by a computer or other machine, such as a personal dataassistant or other handheld device. Generally, program components,including routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, andthe like, refer to code that performs particular tasks or implementsparticular abstract data types. Implementations of the presentdisclosure may be practiced in a variety of system configurations,including handheld devices, consumer electronics, general-purposecomputers, specialty computing devices, etc. Implementations of thepresent disclosure may also be practiced in distributed computingenvironments where tasks are performed by remote-processing devices thatare linked through a communications network.

With continued reference to FIG. 5 , computing device 500 includes bus502 that directly or indirectly couples the following devices: memory504, one or more processors 506, one or more presentation components508, input/output (I/O) ports 510, I/O components 512, power supply 514and radio(s) 516. Bus 502 represents what may be one or more busses(such as an address bus, data bus, or combination thereof). Although thedevices of FIG. 5 are shown with lines for the sake of clarity, inreality, delineating various components is not so clear, andmetaphorically, the lines would more accurately be grey and fuzzy. Forexample, one may consider a presentation component, such as a displaydevice to be one of I/O components 512. Also, processors, such as one ormore processors 506, have memory. The present disclosure hereofrecognizes that such is the nature of the art, and reiterates that FIG.5 is merely illustrative of an exemplary computing environment that canbe used in connection with one or more implementations of the presentdisclosure. Distinction is not made between such categories as“workstation,” “server,” “laptop,” “handheld device,” etc., as all arecontemplated within the scope of FIG. 5 and refer to “computer” or“computing device.”

Computing device 500 typically includes a variety of computer-readablemedia. Computer-readable media can be any available media that can beaccessed by computing device 500 and includes both volatile andnonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media. By way of example,and not limitation, computer-readable media may comprise computerstorage media and communication media. Computer storage media includesboth volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable mediaimplemented in any method or technology for storage of information, suchas computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, orother data.

Computer storage media includes RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or othermemory technology, CD-ROM, DVD or other optical disk storage, magneticcassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage, or other magneticstorage devices. Computer storage media does not comprise a propagateddata signal.

Communication media typically embodies computer-readable instructions,data structures, program modules, or other data in a modulated datasignal, such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism and includesany information delivery media. The term “modulated data signal” means asignal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed insuch a manner as to encode information in the signal. By way of example,and not limitation, communication media includes wired media, such as awired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless media such asacoustic, RF, infrared, and other wireless media. Combinations of any ofthe above should also be included within the scope of computer-readablemedia.

Memory 504 includes computer-storage media in the form of volatileand/or nonvolatile memory. Memory 504 may be removable, non-removable,or a combination thereof. Exemplary memory includes solid-state memory,hard drives, optical-disc drives, etc. Computing device 500 includes oneor more processors 506 that read data from various entities, such as bus502, memory 504, or I/O components 512. One or more presentationcomponents 508 presents data indications to a person or other device.Exemplary one or more presentation components 508 include a displaydevice, speaker, printing component, vibrating component, etc. I/O ports510 allow computing device 500 to be logically coupled to other devices,including I/O components 512, some of which may be built in computingdevice 500. Illustrative I/O components 512 include a microphone,joystick, game pad, satellite dish, scanner, printer, wireless device,etc.

Radio 516 represents a radio that facilitates communication with awireless telecommunications network. Illustrative wirelesstelecommunications technologies include CDMA, GPRS, TDMA, GSM, and thelike. Radio 516 might additionally or alternatively facilitate othertypes of wireless communications including Wi-Fi, WiMAX, LTE, or otherVoIP communications. As can be appreciated, in various aspects, radio516 can be configured to support multiple technologies and/or multipleradios can be utilized to support multiple technologies. A wirelesstelecommunications network might include an array of devices, which arenot shown so as to not obscure more relevant aspects of the invention.Components, such as a base station, a communications tower, or evenaccess points (as well as other components), can provide wirelessconnectivity in some aspects.

Many different arrangements of the various components depicted, as wellas components not shown, are possible without departing from the scopeof the claims below. Aspects of this technology have been described withthe intent to be illustrative rather than be restrictive. Alternativeaspects will become apparent to readers of this disclosure after andbecause of reading it. Alternative means of implementing theaforementioned can be completed without departing from the scope of theclaims below. Certain features and sub-combinations are of utility andmay be employed without reference to other features and sub-combinationsand are contemplated within the scope of the claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. One or more computer-readable media havingcomputer-executable instructions embodied thereon that, when executed,perform a method for managing a traffic steering policy on a networkcore, the method comprising: determining that a first user device is areduced capability device, the first user device being associated with afirst base station; determining that the first user device is aparticular type of reduced capability device; determining a datarequirement for the particular type of reduced capability device;determining, based on the data requirement and the particular type ofreduced capability device, the traffic steering policy for the networkcore, wherein the traffic steering policy modifies the governance of thedevices operating in connection with the network core; and implementingthe traffic steering policy for the network core.
 2. The media of claim1, wherein the determining that the first user device is reducedcapability is determined using an identifier received from the firstuser device.
 3. The media of claim 1, wherein the particular type ofreduced capability device is determined using historical data andempirical test measurements.
 4. The media of claim 1, wherein the datarequirement of the reduced capability device is determined usingmonitored key performance indicators and device information.
 5. Themedia of claim 4, wherein the data requirement is further determinedusing an event trigger.
 6. The media of claim 4, wherein the deviceinformation comprises physical information related to the first userdevice.
 7. The media of claim 1, wherein the determination steps andimplementation steps are performed using a non-real time RAN intelligentcontroller (non-RT RIC).
 8. The media of claim 7, wherein the non-RT RICis associated with a service management orchestration module on thenetwork core.
 9. A method for managing a traffic steering policy for anetwork core, the method comprising: determining that a first userdevice is a reduced capability device, the first user device beingassociated with a first base station; determining that the first userdevice is a particular type of reduced capability device; determining adata requirement for the particular type of reduced capability device;determining, based on the data requirement and the particular type ofreduced capability device, the traffic steering policy for the networkcore, wherein the traffic steering policy modifies the governance of thedevices operating in connection with the network core; and implementingthe traffic steering policy for the network core.
 10. The media of claim1, wherein the determining that the first user device is reducedcapability is determined using an identifier received from the firstuser device.
 11. The media of claim 1, wherein the particular type ofreduced capability device is determined using historical data andempirical test measurements.
 12. The media of claim 1, wherein the datarequirement of the reduced capability device is determined usingmonitored key performance indicators and device information.
 13. Themedia of claim 4, wherein the data requirement are further determinedusing an event trigger.
 14. A system for managing a traffic steeringpolicy for a network core, the system comprising: one or more computercomponents configured to perform a method comprising: determining that afirst user device is a reduced capability device, the first user devicebeing associated with a first base station; determining that the firstuser device is a particular type of reduced capability device;determining a data requirement for the particular type of reducedcapability device; determining, based on the data requirement and theparticular type of reduced capability device, the traffic steeringpolicy for the network core, wherein the traffic steering policymodifies the governance of the devices operating in connection with thenetwork core; and implementing the traffic steering policy for thenetwork core.
 15. The media of claim 14, wherein the data requirement ofthe reduced capability device is determined using monitored keyperformance indicators and device information.
 16. The media of claim15, wherein the data requirement is further determined using an eventtrigger.
 17. The media of claim 16, wherein the device informationcomprises physical information related to the first user device.
 18. Themedia of claim 15, wherein the determination and implementation areperformed using a non-real time RAN intelligent controller (non RT-RIC).19. The media of claim 18, wherein the non-RT RIC is associated with aservice management orchestration module on the network core.
 20. Themedia of claim 14, wherein the determining that the first user device isreduced capability is determined using an identifier received from thefirst user device.